PARENTS of disabled children have slammed a charity after bosses moved to close a lifeline respite facility in Glasgow.

Bosses at Sense Scotland announced the plans to shut the Newark Drive centre in Pollokshields just weeks before Christmas.

The facility offers support and overnight care for youngsters with severe disabilities, giving parents and carers vital respite.

More than 20 parents were stunned to receive a letter last month telling them of the plans to close the centre in March.

Now they have appealed to the First Minster Nicola Sturgeon for help and are due to meet with her today.

One parent, whose autistic son has used the facility for 10 years, said: "Many of us are very angry that Sense have gone behind our backs; management have made this decision without even consulting us.

"They only sent us a letter two weeks before Christmas to say this was happening. They didn't involve us in any way to see what could be done to stop it.

"They didn't even tell us this could be on the cards.

"My son will use his last two nights of respite in February and then he doesn't know if he'll ever go back.

"He doesn't have the understanding for me to tell him what's happening and transition is a very big thing for him."

Pollokshields councillor David Meikle has written to the charity asking them to reconsider.

He said: "I'm disappointed that Sense Scotland has taken the decision to close their Newark Drive facility. I sympathise with parents who are upset by this and concerned about what will happen next. I hope at this stage Sense Scotland may reconsider its decision."

John Roxburgh, head of operational services at Sense Scotland, said: "It is with regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close the respite service at Newark Drive in Glasgow.

"Demand for the service has dropped markedly and it is simply unaffordable to keep it open beyond March 2015.

"Sense Scotland has additional services available and we will work closely with families and appropriate local authorities over the next 2-3 months to put alternative arrangements in place.

"We understand the concern of families and we will work hard to ensure this change has minimal impact on them."

It is understood the reduction in referrals to the service come from widespread funding cuts to social work budgets across a host of local authorities.

Many parents can no longer afford to send their children to the service as their care budgets have been reduced.

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk